With the enormous developments of the last years, leading to high performance kites such as e.g. the Sonics and the R1 series, I wonder, is the self-building community already in line with these designs?

As an enthusiastic kiter and self builder, I would be very much interested in plans of such kites. Anyone a suggestion where to start?

Off course an important part of the success is in the bridle, so there the same question lives with me. What is the status of the freely sharing community on this?

Hi Rein,
check the link from mgs, but know that lecca-lecca is already a professional builder, so even if his construction is good, but not on level of FS or Ozone, I fear it will be pretty hard to reach this level. 20 years ago it was easy to improve a kite as also the "professional" kite designers haven't invested much time or had significant experience, today it's all on another level.
I also thought bridle is important, when just trimming a dozen of kites and building own bridle 20 years ago, but its 95 % about the canopy with its profile and the tension in the straps ..., which is my todays impression.The bridle is just to release the canopies potential, but if the canopies shape is bad it will never be a nice kite not with the best bridle.

A good software is great, but you need the experience how the individual software translates to reality. ... If you just want bridle plans, those from FS are all public on their webside.

Maybe one way to start is, to get a plan from a designer you know, you may ask Stefano Moris, as I had a similar idea one year ago, to get the plan an build it myself but actually haven't the time.

@kiteexpert:
Maybe already asked that question: Are there any real world photos or videos of you riding your kites? Thanks

I strongly disagree with Kitexperts outlining of state of the art. First you need to select into which style of riding the kite will be used. Because for somethings they may be less important and for others they are more important. For example in Race stability is less important to L/D, off which high AR is a help. Where as for wave it is opposite.

In foils we have state of the art technologies, being seen in single skins, hybrids, the various race kites and various other kites. Things like semi rigid LE, unsupported tips, 3 row bridles, mixed ratio wing, PA change, changing bridle cord locations. I think if you could get your head around them then you could truly make something very interesting.

its 95 % about the canopy with its profile and the tension in the straps The bridle is just to release the canopies potential, but if the canopies shape is bad it will never be a nice kite not with the best bridle.
@kiteexpert:
Maybe already asked that question: Are there any real world photos or videos of you riding your kites? Thanks